Karate in Cork?

galson

A little background from me - I am currently 33 and live in Ballincollig, thinking heavily about getting back to martial arts after almost 10 years of break. I used to do Oyama Karate and capoeira. Not interested in competition really, moreso in getting fit, keep a healthy and active lifestyle, strenghten the body and mind and such. Also I'd be more interested in a traditional way of teaching, where discipline and respect are important. I was thinking Shotokan, and I know there are a few clubs in Cork. Question is, which would be the best one? Any opinions on them? Any other MA club recommendations? Many thanks in advance.

It is too bad that there is no Kyokushinkai club in Cork at all

Peetrik

galson wrote: »

Any other MA club recommendations? Many thanks in advance.

It is too bad that there is no Kyokushinkai club in Cork at all

Thai has the same Kicks (with the shin) as Kyokushin. There is an excellent club in Ballincollig called Spartan Thai.

While Muay Thai is a traditional art, there isn't a lot of bowing and belts or any of that jazz so not sure if that's what you're looking for.

Best of luck anyway

session savage

If its not too far for you Id recommend Brian Toomey in Fermoy. Hes a great sensei and its shotokan.
Plus youd more than likely get to train with Kato sensei at some stage too when hes around again.

galson

Unfortunately I can't do Fermoy as I start work at 11 pm and it would be quite impossible for me to come back on time.

@Peetrik
Muay Thai has never raised my interest as a MA. Anybody knows if the Shotokan still happens in Ballincollig Community Centre?

Psydeshow

It's been the guts of 10-15 years since I trained, but used to train Shotokan Karate up in the Olympic Karate Club on Shandon street in Cork city. Would definitely recommend dropping in there. I never trained karate anywhere else so can't compare, but I always got a lot out of it.

I think they were in some way connected to 'the phoenix' club in ballincollig, but like I say this is going back 10 years so who knows if that's still going.

Hell you've got me curious,tempted to pop back in some time in the near future.

galson

OKC seems like a viable option definitely, I also would like to learn more about the club in Bishopstown. I don't know if the Phoenix club exists here either, last info I managed to get was from 4 years ago.

I'm kinda careful in choosing the club, before I invest myself fully into it, that's why so much fuss over it.

Also, any thoughts about TKD?

session savage

I tries TKD once and after karate I found it very similar but personlly I got nothing from it. On the other hand a friend of mine who used also do Karate now does TKD and thinks its the dogs.

Charlie3dan

There are loads of clubs in Cork.

I train in Bandon, which would only be a 20-30 min drive from you and the instructor there is top class.

The JKA have a club in Ballinlough, and Passage West as well I think.
IJKA have a few clubs, Fermoy mentioned above, but I think there's also one in Crosshaven and possibly more.
The was a club up in the Lough that were affiliated to JKS but have recently changed to WTKO I believe.
SKIF club based in Mayfield, also one in Douglas I believe. (as we ll as Midleton, Mitchelstown, Youghal but I assume they'd be too far to travel.

Plenty to choose from anyway.

Aru

If you're interested in trying tkd the bishopstown tkd club is worth a look. They train in the sma hall in wilton. It's run by a guy called dermot walsh

galson

Charlie3dan wrote: »

There are loads of clubs in Cork.

I train in Bandon, which would only be a 20-30 min drive from you and the instructor there is top class.

The JKA have a club in Ballinlough, and Passage West as well I think.
IJKA have a few clubs, Fermoy mentioned above, but I think there's also one in Crosshaven and possibly more.
The was a club up in the Lough that were affiliated to JKS but have recently changed to WTKO I believe.
SKIF club based in Mayfield, also one in Douglas I believe. (as we ll as Midleton, Mitchelstown, Youghal but I assume they'd be too far to travel.

Plenty to choose from anyway.

I am aware of the number of the clubs, however I'd like to get into a good one and I really have no time to drive around and try all of them, thus I created this thread to somehow help me with the decision I also am not interested in practicing it as sport but as MA, and some schools really put a lot of focus on the sport side of karate/tkd/etc.

Aru wrote: »

If you're interested in trying tkd the bishopstown tkd club is worth a look. They train in the sma hall in wilton. It's run by a guy called dermot walsh

I've heard of him, but not much about him. Is he a good teacher. My concern with taekwondo (and karate also) is mainly with stretching, ie. will I be able to stretch enough at my age to do all those high kicks? I read somewhere that you can stretch your legs (tendons) only until a certain age. Would be pointless to be only able to kick up to waist ;>

JohnMc1

galson wrote: »

A little background from me - I am currently 33 and live in Ballincollig, thinking heavily about getting back to martial arts after almost 10 years of break. I used to do Oyama Karate and capoeira. Not interested in competition really, moreso in getting fit, keep a healthy and active lifestyle, strenghten the body and mind and such. Also I'd be more interested in a traditional way of teaching, where discipline and respect are important. I was thinking Shotokan, and I know there are a few clubs in Cork. Question is, which would be the best one? Any opinions on them? Any other MA club recommendations? Many thanks in advance.

It is too bad that there is no Kyokushinkai club in Cork at all

There was a HonKyokushin ["real" Kyokushin] club in Cork but it closed down less than a year later.

Charlie3dan

In that case, Bandon is worth the drive.
Tues and Thurs, 7-8pm (junior grades) 8-9pm (Senior grades).
Fri 7-8:30 for seniors also.

PM if you need more info.

Aru

Really good instrucor. His class is a good mix the technical with the more physical stuff. Flexibility at any age is just about how much time you put into it. Technically, even with very poor flexibility you can progress. The patterns/kata have very few high kicks. For gradings, a technically sound low kick is worth more than a poor high kick. In sparring, you'll find techniques that suit you. You'll be kicking to the waist most of the time

galson

Charlie3dan wrote: »

In that case, Bandon is worth the drive.
Tues and Thurs, 7-8pm (junior grades) 8-9pm (Senior grades).
Fri 7-8:30 for seniors also.

PM if you need more info.

If only it weren't for the distance... Takes 30 mins normally, but it can vary up to 45-60 minutes in some cases and like I mentioned before I work nights and can't afford being late to work, that especially after reaching purple belt when it ends at 9pm. Also Fridays I start work at 9pm exactly. I was considering moving to a dayshift before, but the money is much worse there. Many thanks for the info though!

Aru wrote: »

Really good instrucor. His class is a good mix the technical with the more physical stuff. Flexibility at any age is just about how much time you put into it. Technically, even with very poor flexibility you can progress. The patterns/kata have very few high kicks. For gradings, a technically sound low kick is worth more than a poor high kick. In sparring, you'll find techniques that suit you. You'll be kicking to the waist most of the time

Aye, however being perfectionist as I am I'd also like to be able to do those high kicks as well Stretching is one of my biggest woes basically and would like to finally overcome it.

I'l be checking some clubs soon, right now I'm more focused on my upcoming driving test which is next Monday. Hopefully a positive this time!

Damo W

Hi,

Have a look at Koryu Uchinadi in Cork , all details of the clubs location etc. here www.ku-cork.com

Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo-jutsu is a modern interpretation of Okinawa 's historic combative-like disciplines. A completely systematized, cohesive and coherent method of learning/teaching, delivered in a traditional atmosphere, honouring both its culture and pioneers.

Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo-jutsu can also be learned/imparted as a provocative alternative to conventional methods of physical fitness and stress management. Learning how to respond dispassionately to unwarranted aggression requires self- empowerment. Such training promotes an inner-calm and, where conflict exists, helps restore balance to personal and professional relationships.

Koryu Uchinadi is a non-competitive, totally application-based defensive practice, punctuated with moral philosophy and highlighted by introspective teaching as a comprehensive single study.

www.koryu-uchinadi.com

galson

Thanks! This looks really interesting and right into my liking, full contact and non sport focused, taught in a traditional way. I'll be sure to give Joe sensei a call. Only downside like I said is I work nights and trainings finish at 9.40pm which leaves me but a nick of time to get to work which I can't really afford to be late to. But it's definitely worth checking out and worrying about it later

Damo W

galson wrote: »

Thanks! This looks really interesting and right into my liking, full contact and non sport focused, taught in a traditional way. I'll be sure to give Joe sensei a call. Only downside like I said is I work nights and trainings finish at 9.40pm which leaves me but a nick of time to get to work which I can't really afford to be late to. But it's definitely worth checking out and worrying about it later

Talk to Joe Sensei, you never know what you two could work out, hes in the dojo everyday